Part of the reason for the complexity of the process -- such as it is, which I don't think is too bad (having done it myself) -- is to allow for appropriate due dilligence (which is performed on every application). The
application form (which can also be submitted in
French,
Spanish,
Chinese,
Portuguese,
Russian and
Arabic -- ALS members don't need to speak English) is sent in and evaluated; approval is fairly clear cut based on objective measures, by the local region. Less than 4% of applications have been rejected to date.
As for individual membership, that is currently in place in North America (recall that Wendy has served as ALAC liaison to the Board as an individual member) and actively being investigated elsewhere; there is a certain amount of regional autonomy on internal structure.
- Evan